FT.com launches Long Room comment section on Alphaville blog

by Jacquie Bowser, Brand Republic 27-Oct-08, 11:45

LONDON - The Financial Times has launched a comment and analysis area on its financial blog FT Alphaville.

The 'Long Room' invites asset managers, professional investors and other market professionals to share their own research and offer thoughts on the work of others.

It takes its cue from the original Long Room Restaurant and Bar off London's Throgmorton Street, once a hub of financial chatter.

Discussions are grouped by topic on a series of "virtual tables" that users can join to add their point of view around a specific issue or market development.

Users can also discuss FT.com's top stories or begin new discussions of their own in a combination of a web forum and blog comment structure.

The Long Room will be free to use, but participation is by invitation only, following registration.

Paul Murphy, editor of FT Alphaville, said: "The launch of the Long Room is the next logical step for FT Alphaville.

"We are giving our readers even greater freedom to steer the agenda, providing a forum for debate that suits the FT Alphaville readers' thirst for quick, interactive content."

The launch of the Long Room is the first of several proposed changes to FT.com, as the site undergoes a redesign aimed at giving it a more sophisticated look and feel.